Mobile Mechanic Insurance
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Why Compare Mobile Mechanic Insurance With SimplyQuote?
Being a mobile mechanic can be stressful, even on a good day. Not only do you need to worry about providing great customer service, but you’re liable if anything should happen to your customer’s vehicles while in your care.
Finding cheaper mobile mechanic insurance shouldn’t be that intense.
SimplyQuote understands this and has designed the best solution for you: the 100% free, online, comparison tool!
It’s quick, easy and super simple to use. Just fill in some basic details about yourself and the type of work you do and we’ll provide you with an extensive list of suitable quotes from leading UK insurers.
What Do You Need To Get A Quote?
These details are what we’ll need before we can give you a quote:
- Personal info – name, age, surname, address, contact details
- Business info – company registration and VAT info
- Employee info – the number of staff that work for you (if applicable)
- Nature of business – part- or full-time mobile mechanic
- Policy info – the cover you’re interested in
- Insurance info – claims history
Why Do You Need Mobile Mechanic Insurance?
If you run your own business as a mobile mechanic, you are vulnerable to financial losses from a liability claim. For example, you might be required to pay compensation if you make a mistake when working on a car or if something goes wrong at work.
It’s a legal requirement in the UK to have at least third-party-only (TPO) road risk insurance. This protects you (financially and legally) should you injure someone or damage their vehicle whilst at work.
Mobile mechanic insurance is tailored to reflect the work of a mechanic who doesn’t operate from a single, fixed location, but works out on the road, and might involve driving to a customer’s home or workplace.
Who needs mobile mechanics insurance in the UK?
- Mobile mechanics not operating from a fixed location
- Mobile HGV mechanics
- Part-time mobile mechanic businesses
- Full-time mobile mechanics businesses
Looking for the cheap Mobile Mechanic Insurance? Get a quote today!
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What Does Valeting Insurance Cover?
Generally, this type of insurance covers:
- Liability insurance
- Customers’ vehicles
- Your vehicle (including breakdown cover)
- Machinery, stock, tools and equipment
It’s worth mentioning that no two mobile mechanic businesses are the same, therefore each mobile mechanics insurance policy is tailored to your unique needs.
Organising sufficient cover for operating motor vehicles is essential. It is a legal requirement to have insurance if you are driving a vehicle on a public road. However, you can scale up or scale back the cover you take out to suit your work activities.
Let’s take a closer look:
Liability insurance
- Road risks insurance – permits you to operate vehicles that don’t belong to you, such as driving a customer’s car. There are three levels to choose from, which we discuss later.
- Public liability insurance – protects you and your business against third-party claims.
- Product liability insurance – similar to public liability insurance in that it protects you if someone sues you; but in the case of fitting a defective/faulty vehicle part that may result in a car accident.
- Employers’ liability insurance – is a legal requirement if you employ staff other than yourself. You could face a daily £2,500 fine if this insurance is not in place. It covers you against employee claims should they sustain injuries/illnesses while on duty.
Commercial van insurance
Enables you to drive your vehicle for professional purposes. Some commercial van insurance policies will cover you, your vehicle, and any personal possessions or tools that you use for your work.
Mechanic tools insurance
Covers you if your van is broken into and tools are stolen, or if they are lost or broken. You can have your tools replaced or repaired without the financial responsibility falling on you.
As your tools will likely be kept in your vehicle all or most of the time, tools insurance could be pivotal for a mobile mechanic.
Breakdown cover
Your livelihood depends on having a working vehicle and tools to deliver your services. It’s not unheard of for a mechanic’s car or van to break down on the way to fix a customer’s vehicle.
Although you might be able to fix your vehicle yourself, you’ll probably want breakdown cover that includes emergency assistance or a courtesy van so that you can continue with your work without letting your customers down.
What’s not covered?
- General wear and tear on your (and customers’) vehicles such as tyres/brake pads.
- Operating vehicles while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Costs incurred due to negligence (leaving vehicles unlocked and it being stolen).
- Personal belongings – unless a specific policy is in place.
- Uninsured/unnamed drivers – not mentioned in your policy.
What Types Of Mobile Mechanic Insurance Are Available In The UK?
There is no single type of mobile mechanic insurance cover per se.
Rather, you build up a bespoke policy like a portfolio that reflects what your business needs.
This allows you to cherry-pick the insurance cover that is important for you, without overspending on all the possible features and add-ons that aren’t needed or financially viable.
What to consider when choosing mobile mechanics insurance?
- What is the total value of the goods, machinery and tools that are stored in your van?
- Should you be insured to operate customer vehicles so that these can be moved to safe locations or road-tested?
- How could the risk of being sued for work you carry out affect your business and to what extent do you need insurance to protect you from this?
- Do you employ any staff to support you in your role as a mobile mechanic that would require employers’ liability cover?
- Can you include your van or other vehicles in a single motor trade insurance policy?
Once you have a better idea of what cover you’ll need for your work, you can build your policy.
What Levels Of Mobile Mechanic Insurance Can You Get?
As mentioned, three levels of road risks insurance are available in the UK that form the basis of any standard motor trade insurance policy.
Third-party only (TPO)
the most basic level of cover, protecting you against third-party claims. For instance, you damage a customer’s vehicle whilst on duty or knock over a pedestrian while driving.
Third-party, fire and theft (TPFT)
Mid-tier level of cover. This policy includes basic TPO with the added benefit of compensating you, should your vehicle be damaged by fire or stolen. However, it won’t cover repair/medical costs to you or your vehicle.
Comprehensive cover
The highest level of cover in the UK. It includes both TPO and third party, fire and theft along with added protection (e.g. windscreen and breakdown cover, key replacement, etc.). Comprehensive insurance will pay for repair/replacement costs if your vehicle is involved in an accident, even if you are at fault.
What Add-Ons Are Available For Mobile Mechanic Insurance?
Here are a few optional extras you can consider adding to your mobile mechanics’ insurance cover:
Defective workmanship cover
Protects you if someone claims against you because they sustain an injury or their property is damaged because of your mistake or carelessness during your work.
This is sometimes known as service indemnity insurance and it’s especially important for mobile mechanics because you may be working on cars and other vehicles in locations that are loud, busy or in poor working conditions that could easily cause distraction.
Legal expenses insurance
Being taken to court by an unhappy customer can financially ruin a business, whether you are self-employed or run a busy mobile mechanic trade with several employees.
This policy add-on ensures you are legally and financially protected in these instances, covering all litigation and legal fees involved.
Windscreen cover
This can be added to basic TPO and TPFT policies. It’s usually included in standard comprehensive plans. As the name suggests, your insurance provider will pay for damaged/cracked/broken windscreens to be replaced without you dipping into your pocket.
Key replacement cover
As the name indicates, your insurer will cover the cost to repair or replace damaged, lost or broken keys.
Courtesy car cover
Some insurance providers may not include a courtesy vehicle in their breakdown cover plans. If not, this is a great add-on to have as it ensures business continuity when unforeseen breakdowns arise.
Personal belongings cover
Opt for this add-on to receive compensation for personal items that may be lost, stolen or damaged while in transit. These may include wallets, navigation devices (GPS) and other personal possessions.
EU cover
This policy provides protection should your business operations involve going across the UK border.
How Much Does Mobile Mechanic Insurance Cost?
Basic mobile mechanic insurance can start from as little as £31 per month.
What influences insurance premiums?
- Drivers’ age and experience – drivers under 25 are statistically more likely to be involved in a road traffic accident and therefore have higher premiums.
- Driving history – how you behave behind the wheel impacts your insurance premiums. Driving points and convictions can negatively impact the price you pay.
- Level of cover chosen – whether you opt for TPO, TPFT or comprehensive cover.
- Add-ons selected – more optional extras = higher premiums.
- Vehicle security – where your vehicle/s are parked when not in use. High crime areas tend to drive up mobile auto mechanic insurance premiums.
- Tool security – where tools and equipment are stored overnight. Consider a locked garage or shed instead of keeping them in your vehicle when not in use.
- Claims history – excessive claims = higher premiums.
How Can You Get Cheaper Insurance Rates?
Luckily, there are ways to reduce your mobile mechanics’ insurance premiums – here’s how:
- Compare quotes from multiple insurance providers with SimplyQuote to find the best deal.
- Hire experienced drivers (over 25) to minimise the chances of an accident.
- Pay premiums annually, not monthly to eliminate added interest.
- Provide training to ensure staff are adequately equipped to work on customer vehicles.
- Choose the correct level of cover best suited to your business.
- Avoid unnecessary add-ons to reduce premium prices.
- Secure vehicles overnight to deter criminal activity. Consider added security features such as alarms/immobilisers or CCTV cameras.
- Secure tools when not in use to prevent theft, burglary and damage (e.g. locked garage)
- Keep claims to a minimum to keep premiums low.
How To Compare Mobile Mechanic Insurance Quotes With SimplyQuote?
Finding and comparing mobile mechanic insurance with SimplyQuote is super simple:
- Fill in the short form with a few personal and business details.
- Choose policy add-ons to include in your insurance policy.
- Compare quotes quickly with the free, online comparison tool.
- Save money on your premiums today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Mobile mechanic insurance is a type of motor trade insurance specifically aimed at mechanics operating a mobile service (i.e. not operating from a fixed location).
Yes, road risk insurance is a legal requirement for mobile mechanics in the UK. It legally enables you to drive customers’ vehicles (even if you just move them a short distance!).